Match Race

[bdw0617]

In lieu of the scratched match race down under between the top sprinter in the world Takeover Target and Natural Destiny, I was curious, why don't we see match races anymore in america?

[winds]

After Ruffian I think most tracks decided to nix the idea of match races.

winds

[Maven]

And rightfully so.

By definition, a match race is at it's most competitive when you have two horses who are speed types that like to run balls to the walls from gate to wire... why risk ruining a good horse for bragging rights?

[bdw0617]

but isnt' bragging rights the entire point of sports in the first place?

I don't like the idea of a mile and a quarter match race. that's dangerous. and I think that people jumped the gun after ruffian. each horse injury is it's own injury and it's not fair to blame match races as a whole. The most important or most popular race in the 20th century was a match race.

Match races at 1mile or less wouldn't be the end of the world I dont' think and I think

[Maven]

Bragging rights can be won in a G1 and the horse will be in familiar waters.

As a breeder and fan of the sport, I'd be more impressed by a horse beating two or three of his best peers in a race, than a horse winning a match race.

Let's not forget either, that in a match race, its full on the entire race, while in a "real" race, you nurse them along. THATS where it can get dangerous.

The only thing a match race has is the novelty factor... and to me, that's not enough justification for putting my horse in a situation it has never been in before or to push it to the limit to satisfy my ego.

[spex4me]

this reminds me of a guy that once reasoned it with, to the horse it doesn't matter if he races against one or ten. His will is the same no matter how we choose to see it, he always feels the same running with his heart.
Of course all I have to go off of is my backwoods countryfied horse drag races, as we called them growing up. But I sort of tend to agree to that. Now I know there are exceptions that will see that one horse in front of them and drag the riders arms out of the socket to keep up without another horse to key off of, but I think if you match race a horse at their best distance it could be done pretty well.

[docjocoy]

The Ruffian/Foolish Pleasure match race was so poorly handled by the network, (truly ridiculous, but you sort of had to live through it to appreciate how stupidly it was promoted), and the result so shocking that the whole match race format just instantly declined. I would think a match race would be entertaining and good for the sport, but it would take the right balance of participants. An owner would have to want to put his horse on the line, just one on one, many don't want to do that. A match race offers two horses and two jockeys a great opportunity to run a very tactical race, a race you don't see very often in a larger field. I would think if handled correctly fans could watch a really fun race.

[larrygene]

Like it or not, if we were to bring back match races to the USA, it would do more for this horseracing industry in relation to getting the public back interested in really following and rooting for a favorite horse or even a favorite jockey, than anything that has been tried in the last 20 years. This would let people choose sides. You won't be able to take the "field", but must choose either or. Just like TGM has increased the price of horseflesh 30% to 50% at the Keeneland sale, match racing would again put the TB on the cover of SI instead of a beautiful young lady in a bikini!!! Personally I love to see pretty young ladies in bikini's. But, the American people are so hungry for a true, real hero, I believe they would absolutely flood the racetrack to see two gallant warriors go head to head. What excitement!!!!! And please don't use the Ruffian accident to dissuade bringing back match racing, remember Go for Wand?? Her breakdown did not stop the Breeders cup.

I say, BRING BACK MATCH RACES!!! Let me choose between the two warriors and put my $2 on my HERO.

Larrygene

[Maven]

Again, it's a novelty factor that wont have the same affect it did in the past.

First off, it would probably only be shown on TVG, HRTV, or POSSIBLY ESPN. It will appeal to the core horse audience, most of which will be split by the idea of a match race, any way. Advertising of the race would be next to nothing. People dont spend money on something that wont make money.

Let's not forget that if, God forbid, one of the horses did break down, it would be yet another front and center example for the detractors of the sport and it would also lose most new fans turning in and would even send some older fans packing for good.

Match races are about ego and money and karma has a way of setting those who succumb straight.

[bdw0617]

First off, it would probably only be shown on TVG, HRTV, or POSSIBLY ESPN. It will appeal to the core horse audience, most of which will be split by the idea of a match race, any way. Advertising of the race would be next to nothing. People dont spend money on something that wont make money.

Monday night football is on ESPN and their ratings are the same if not better than they were on ABC. 85% of america has cable, it's not a problem. and make no mistake, a match race between two GREAT horses, lwould be watched.

As a horse racing fan maven, you might not like the idea of a match race, but you are still going to watch the race. There isn't a horse racing fan that won't, rather they like the idea or not. Get two horses that everyone loves, Street Sense versus Rags to Riches, put them in front of ESPN, market it for a month and watch the ratings soar

Let's not forget that if, God forbid, one of the horses did break down, it would be yet another front and center example for the detractors of the sport and it would also lose most new fans turning in and would even send some older fans packing for good.

It's horse racing. if you are worried about break downs, you might as well not run at all. As much of a bitter taste in the mouth that ruffian left america, leaving match races has left an even bitterer (lol, is that a word?) taste.

[larrygene]

maven, you know I like and respect you and your views and knowledge, but when it comes to this "novelty factor" I have to respectfully disagree. I honestly think it could be the spark that ignites the fires of competition not only between owners, trainers, jockeys and horses but also the betting public. It will take more than one match race to rekindle the flames but what would be more exciting than East against West, North against South, male vs female, Baffert vs Pletcher!!!!!!! What would hurt giving it a try???

Larrygene

[docjocoy]

Again, it's a novelty factor that wont have the same affect it did in the past.

Interesting comment from one so young to unequivocally state that a match race won't work.

I suspect that there are many fans, casual and passionate alike, that would love to see a culminating race between two foes that have been in the public eye for a year or so. Whether it would actually happen, in this day and age of retirements and injuries is another matter, but the idea is intriguing and worth pursuing. Larrygene and his great passion for racing seems to me to be the rule, not the exception.

BDW, I love "bitterer" I'll incorporate it into my vocab.

[Maven]

Monday night football is on ESPN and their ratings are the same if not better than they were on ABC. 85% of america has cable, it's not a problem. and make no mistake, a match race between two GREAT horses, lwould be watched.

Football is America's highest rated sport. To compare it to horse racing at this point in the popularity arc is ridiculous. It's also worth noting that Monday Night Football is the second longest running show on ABC and had a 36 year run. It has a much broader fan base.

As a horse racing fan maven, you might not like the idea of a match race, but you are still going to watch the race. There isn't a horse racing fan that won't, rather they like the idea or not. Get two horses that everyone loves, Street Sense versus Rags to Riches, put them in front of ESPN, market it for a month and watch the ratings soar

I wouldn't watch. Trainers and owners get maligned for running their horses (look at the BC and Pletcher posts) yet people would support this? Huh??!!

It's horse racing. if you are worried about break downs, you might as well not run at all. As much of a bitter taste in the mouth that ruffian left america, leaving match races has left an even bitterer (lol, is that a word?) taste.

A match race is run differently than a normal race. That's just fact. The best horses will give 110%... and for what? So you can brag later? Then do it... but this is one person involved in the sport who wont be supporting it in any light.

To each their own.

[spex4me]

I actually love my animals like kids (more as I do not have nor want them lol) and I think given the right set of circumstances, I would enter a horse in a match race.

They would HAVE to be at least 4 years of age. Have a distance that suits them. Be of a mental capacity to accept the race itself. And I think if a track puts on a race like that, then they should also foot the bill for diagnostic tests to be run on the horses. I would want to see both x rays and sonagrams of all the legs, and a respitory efficiency test. While yes some things could slip through the cracks, at least I could try and have some major bases covered. Not to mention a pick of jockeys.

Alot of ppl say look at Ruffian and see how she would not stop running, all b/c of one horse...... I say look at Barbaro he didn't wanna stop either. That's heart and that's innate desire. God willing I go out doing what excites me.

[Dave C]

I'll toss my two cents into the fray. Match races are made for TV. TV does a good job of promoting head to head competition because it can make good drama. Races with multiple horses confuse TV because the simple drama of two horses duelling down the stretch often doesn't play out like the hype suggests: sometimes the long shot, or a medium price horse runs the race of its' life and leaves the favourites crying in their beer and the analysts with egg on their faces because they didn't even mention the horse in their pre-race discussions.

I've thought it would be interesting to have Monday Night Match Races to take over from Monday Night Football.

On the issue that horses will run too hard in a match race, I've got to say I think that is a little ridiculous. Horses work in company all the time without going too fast. If the riders want to control the pace in a match race, the final time is more likely to be ridiculously slow than ridiculously fast. JMHO